Lawson Camm takes home $14,000 heifer

Rodger and Lorena Jefferis of Elrose Brahman Stud, Cloncurry, had plenty to celebrate with a gross of $1,331,800 and an average price of $4123 across cow and calf units, heifers and bulls.

The top priced unjoined, poll heifer of the sale sold for $14,000 to Lawson Camm, Cambil Brahmans, Proserpine.

This was the only lot Mr Camm purchased all day but said she was worth it.

“She was polled to start with and we were looking at buying some polled genetics. I also liked her pedigree on the mother’s side,” he said.

“I did have a few other lots marked down but would have been a bit over my budget.

“It was great to support Elrose. They are a good client of ours having purchased cattle from us before so it was good to return the favour as we know their cattle and wanted to buy in.”

A total of 28 unjoined heifers sold for a 100 per cent clearance and an average of $4053.

A total of 223 cow and calf units also sold for a 100 per cent clearance and average of $4566.

The top price cow and calf unit was Elrose Lady Steam Manso 11084 that sold for $13,500 to Brett Nobbs, NCC Brahmans, Duaringa.

The top priced bull, Elrose Luke Manso 9814, sold to volume buyer Peter Malpass, Swans Lagoon, Millaroo, for $9500.

The volume buyer purchased 40 cows and calves for an average of $4560.

With 5000 head of agistment red and grey Brahman, Mr Malpass was looking to expand his herd breeding by introducing other strong lines.

“Elrose are the only cattle on the market at the moment with good lines,” he said.

“We purchased 40 lots including two bulls and we would have purchased a few more if the price was right.

“We mainly purchased three in one (cow, calf at foot and pregnant units) as it was a good opportunity to buy some strong genetics in this climate.”

Other volume buyers included Lyons Family, Wambiana, Charters Towers who purchased 18 females for an average of $3920.

Roland and Sally Everingham, Oak Park, Einasleigh purchased 14 females for an average of $3680.

The Stevens Family, Cremona Station, Julia Creek, purchased 17 females for an average of $3470.

Lornevale and Roseglen Partnership, Georgetown purchased 12 females for an average of $5000.

A mix of stud and commercial enterprises attended the event with producers coming from as far as the Northern Territory, Far North Queensland, Gympie, Dirranbandi and south Burnett region.

A high percentage of cattle sold back to studs in central Queensland. Volume buying studs included NCC Brahmans, Duaringa; Palmal Brahmans, Dingo; Brudekin Brahmans, Charters Towers; Annavale Brahmans, Charters Towers; Lanes Creek Brahmans, Georgetown and Somerset Park Brahmans, Calen.

Agents and owners felt the sale went well with an added boost from recent rain and good market prices.

“We were very happy with how the sale went. It provided an opportunity for commercial or stud enterprises to put a line together,” owner Rodger Jefferis said.

“It was obvious that people were buying the calves or the cow history and the three for one lots were a big hit.”

Mr Jefferis said his stud had turned into a bit of a monster.

“I started the business many years ago but my father took the first Brahmans into the Cloncurry area back in the 50’s, so we have been associated with the cattle for a long time and performance recording since 1990.

“It has turned into a very big number of cattle and easily becoming the biggest breed plant recorded herd in the Brahman breed. 

“We’d struggled over the drought with our commercial cattle but our stud cattle had thrived. We sent a lot of cattle to our property at Moura and they bred up, so between the two places and we just needed room.

“Last year we weaned over 1600 weaners so it was a big effort. We thought the time was right to let everyone else have a few of our cows as we have never sold or bought cows in our whole history.”

​Selling agents: McCaffrey’s and Queensland Rural.